Beth nearly dropped a trencher on her lap, in the process whispering in Ceidre’s ear to meet her in the kitchens as soon as she could. Ceidre was surprised, but hid it. She knew Beth, of course, but she was not exactly a friend. That Beth would relay such a message thoroughly aroused her curiosity, and her hopes.
She sought her out after the meal, when the Norman and his men had ridden out hunting. An ever-present shadow followed her—one of the Normans whose name she did not even know. The shadow occupied herself with ogling Beth and smirking a stone’s throw from them. “What is this about?”
Beth’s face was flushed with excitement. “I have seen Morcar,” she whispered, looking hastily around.
Ceidre’s heart stopped, then sped on. Now she understood Beth’s flush, for Morcar had tumbled her many times and Beth, like all women, was half in love with the rake. “Where?”
“Your grandmother’s.”
Ceidre could not believe it. She gaped, and then she turned to go, only to realize her shadow awaited her. “Damn!”
“I will take care of him,” Beth assured her. “Oh, Ceidre, if only they would throw this Norman out on his knees!”
So much, Ceidre thought, for Beth’s attraction to her lord. Ceidre paced the kitchen impatiently while Beth strutted over to her man, apparently named Roger, and began a blatant seduction. Roger was no fool, but he was also not equal to withstanding Beth’s unfair tactics. Bluntly she delved into his trousers. He gasped. As Ceidre hurried past, Beth lowered her head to his full, naked organ.
I owe her, Ceidre thought, glancing around her, trying to be casual. She wanted to run, she wanted to shriek—with joy, and anger. He is a fool, she thought, furious, for coming again. Only Morcar would dare to come into the village, right under the Norman’s nose! Ceidre rehearsed a vehement speech and flung open the door to her granny’s. The old lady sat at the table with not one man, but two.
Ceidre closed the door and stared.
Edwin stood, with a slight smile.
He was so handsome. So strong, and tears of joy came to her eyes. He opened his arms, she rushed into them. He held her and rocked her. Ceidre clung, sniffing. Since her father had died, Edwin had taken that place, if possible, because he was the exact image of Aelfgar, within and without. “I cannot believe you have come, all the way to the village!”
“Hush,” he said, a finger on her lips. “Do you not greet your wild brother?”
Ceidre smiled and turned to embrace Morcar. He held her apart. “Are you all right? Is it true? I heard—”
A gesture from Edwin interrupted his worried questions. “We have time.” He looked at Ceidre. “Truly, I did not intend to come this far, but when the Norman rode out with half his men, I could not resist.”
“He is hunting. He will not be back until late today, maybe tonight.”
Edwin’s gaze searched her. “Are you all right, Ceidre?”
“Yes.” She suddenly remembered everything. “Ed, I just sent Feldric to find you!” And she quickly filled him in on the royal missive of the day before.
Edwin paced thoughtfully, Morcar fretted. “It must be John,” he said. “He has not been seen in a sennight.”
Ceidre spoke up. “Mayhap I should know where you are, to be able to—”
“No,” Edwin said, his tone a whip’s lash. “What you did was right. A true Saxon can find us, just as the Normans can’t. It will take Feldric time, but he would, eventually, passing through many tests, reach us. I do not want you endangered, Ceidre.”
She nodded, thinking of the Norman’s threat to find her a husband if she displeased him. “You will postpone whatever you are planning now?”
Edwin looked at her, then shook his head.
“Oh, Ed, please! ’Tis too dangerous!”
“We are not afraid,” Morcar spat out.
“The timing will be right, Ceidre,” Edwin said. “Trust me.” He smiled, becoming incredibly handsome. “As you trusted Father.”
“I do,” she said softly.
Morcar, as ever, was impatient. “Ceidre, were you hurt after I escaped? And is it true that the Norman lusts after you?”
Ceidre flushed at the last question. “I am fine.”
“Is that an answer?” Edwin asked.
